Frameshop: NPR (Action)

CALL TO ACTION

The following phrase developed by Frameshop is gaining in the media:

"Social Security is Healthy and Successful"

Repetition of this phrase can help stop George W. Bush's War on Social Security.

The White House wants to limit the Social Security debate to talk of radical change. Do not let them.

Progressive Social Security Frame

We believe that Americans who work hard and play by the rules deserve a retirement protected by their government.

Social Security is a successful social program that helps millions of Americans.

Social Security will thrive in a healthy economy and can be maintained by: (1) lifting caps on payroll contribution, (2) restoring fiscal discipline and (3) investing in education and innovation.

To advance this Progressive frame repeat these phrases:

• "We believe all Americans deserve the protection of Social Security"
• Social Security is Healthy
• Social Security is Successful

IMMEDIATE ACTION: Send letters to all NPR stations. Encourage them to use Progressive language when discussing Social Security.

Frameshop is open.

Distribute and Repeat
The Frameshop initiative on Social Security has accomplished these fundamental tasks:

1. Identified problematic Con langauge


2. Analyzed how Con language frames debate on Social Security


3. Developed  Progressive language for framing debate on Social Security


4. Distributed and repeated the new language

We can always head back to the discussion of the best way to frame Social Security.  But as that discussion moves forward, it becomes a policy debate that is more complex and lengthy than the effort to battle the White House  at the level of framing the debate.

Right now, our task is repetition.  

Yesterday, I asked everyone to take out a post-it note, write "repetition" on it and paste it on your computer screen.  Today, I want everyone to take out an 8.5x11 piece of paper and do the same thing.  

Repeat, repeate, repeat.  This is how we will get our language into public debate and meet George W. Bush's War on Social Security head on.

We are already making progress. "Social Security is Healty and Succesful" is travelling the rounds of other progressive blogs and media alert groups

Public Radio: An Open Door for our Frame
As a resulf of the last Frameshop session, several people reported that they received responses to their letters from NPR.

NPR did not write back and say, "Thank you for your help.  We will start using this language immediate."

But they did write back indicating that they took the time to consider what we said.  One email response from Steve Inskeep at Morning Edition indicated that the Morning Edition crew had searched their transcript to see if they were using Bush's langauge.  That should make everyone feel like we are getting our message out.

These responses from NPR indicate that public radio is a back door into the public airwaves and we should pursue this immediately.

Automated email programs and services are helpful, but if we can find the email addresses of small local affiliates in all 50 states and connect with them, we will have great success at getting our language heard.

Here's what we will do next:

1. Click  here to get to a page listing all NPR stations.


2. Search for a station in your state or in any state that you wish to contact. (you may find it helpful to download the PDF file listing all stations and call letters so you know where to search.)


3. Find the email contact on the homepage listing for the station.


4. Send then a letter encouraging them to use the Progressive frame in their reporting on Social Security.


5. Post a Comment in this diary thread with the call State, call letters and email contact of the station you contacted.

I will list all stations that have been contacted as they come in.

If you are particularly fast at tracking down these emails, post everything you find in a comment and I will pull the information up to the diary.

Our Goals:

To get the Progressive frame of Social Security to an NPR affiliate station in every state by Saturday at Midnight.

To get the Progressive frame of Social Security to 5 NPR affiliate stations in every state by Sunday at midnight.

If everybody tracks down "5" stations, we should be able to do this.

Sell, Don't Yell
It's really important that these letters by encouraging, not angry.  

Our goal is to get NPR to listen, not to get them to feel that they have been targeted for wrong doing.

Frame your suggestions with encouraging terms that show your support for NPR.

Here's an example:

Dear [blank]:

Always an avid NPR supporter, I am writing to thank you for all the work you've done and continue to do to make public radio a great source of news and information.

In this holiday season, a debate on Social Security is unfolding that has consequences for all Americans.  

Like myself, the vast majority of NPR listeners believe that social security is healthy and successful.

To keep it healthy and successful as our population ages,  Social Security will require only gradual adjustments and a return to controlled government spending.

 NPR plays a key role in helping the public to understand this important issue.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours sincerely,
[name]

Other sample lettters may be listed in the comments.

Thanks everyone!  This task requires some footwork on everyone's part, so let's split up and get to work....



NPR Affiliates Contacted

As of Sun 8:16am EST
States Remaining: 33
States with 1 or More Contacted: 18 (+DC)
States with 5 or More Contacted: 2


state  -  station - email (misc info)

• Arizona - KNAU (91.7FM) - online feedback form
• Arkansas - KUAR (89.1 FM) - [e-mail] (Little Rock-Hot Springs-Conway, Ron Breeding, News Director/Program Director)
• Arkansas - KUAF (91.3 FM) - [e-mail] (Fayetteville-Fort Smith, Kyle Kellams, News Director)
• California - KALW - [e-mail] (San Francisco)
• California - KPCC (89.3FM) - General email: [e-mail], Story ideas: [e-mail] (Paul Glickman/News Director; Commentators: K. C. Cole. The Loh LifeTM Sandra Tsing Loh, Rich Dean, Mimi Pond, Roger Rudick; Also, see comment thread for locally produced shows)
• DC - WAMU: American University - DC Online Contact Form
• DC - WPFW: Pacifica Radio Homepage
• Florida - WUFT (89.1FM) - [e-mail] (Kevin Allen, News Director; Dave Schermer, Assistant News Director)
• Florida - WJCT (89.9 FM) - [e-mail] (Jacksonville)
• Louisiana - WWNO (89.9 FM) - [e-mail] (New Orleans) - Shantel Washington, Listener Services Manager)
• Louisiana - WRKF 89.3 FM - [e-mail] (Baton Rouge) - Karen Henderson, News Director
• Louisiana - KDAQ 89.9 FM - [e-mail] (Shreveport-Bossier City) - Wally Derleth, News Director
• Louisiana - KEDM 90.3 FM - [e-mail] (Monroe) - Sunny Meriwether, News Director
• Maine - WMEH (90.9FM) - [e-mail] (Main Public Broadcasting)
• Maryland - WYPR - [email] - (contact)
• Montana - KEMC (91.7FM) - [e-mail] (Jacquelyn Yamanaka, News Director)
• Missouri - KWMU(St. Louis): [e-mail]; 8001 Natural Bridge, St. Louis, MO 63121. Mike Sampson is host of "St. Louis On The Air"
• Missouri - KCUR(Kansas City): [e-mail] (Frank Morris, news director)
• Missouri - KSMU(Springfield): [e-mail] (Mike Smith, news director)
• Missouri - KBIA(Columbia): [e-mail] (Sarah Ashworth, news director) (a classical station)
• Missouri - KRCU(Cape Girardeau): One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 KUMR(Rolla): no news director Program Director: [e-mail] (John Francis)
• Missouri - KTBG(Warrensburg): [e-mail] (John Dutton)
• Missouri - KXCV(Marysville): [e-mail] (Kirk Wayman, news and public affairs director)
• New Jersey - WBGO (88.3FM) - [e-mail] (News Department)
• New Mexico - KUNM 89.9 FM - [e-mail] (Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Los Alamos) - Marcos Martinez, Program Director
• New Mexico - KENW 91.3 FM - [e-mail] (Ruidoso-Portales-Roswell and Amarillo/West Texas) - Dr. James Lee, News/Public Service Director
• New York - WNYC (93.9FM, 820AM) [e-mail]
• New York - WNYE (TV25, 91.5 FM) - [e-mail]
• New York - WFUV Fordham (Julianne Welby, News & Public Affairs Director)
• Oklahoma - KROU/KGOU (105.7/106.3 FM) - [e-mail] (Oklahoma City-Norman-Spencer, Scott Gurian, News Director(
• Oklahoma - KWGS (89.5 FM) - [e-mail] (Tulsa, Brian Byrne, Program/Public Service Director)
• Oklahoma - KCCU FM (various frequencies) - [e-mail] (Lawton-Fort Sill-Altus-Ardmore-Duncan-Chickasha-Weathford-Clinton-Elk City, plus Wichita Falls, TX; Debra Taylor, News Director)
• Ohio - WVXU (91.7FM) - [e-mail] (Steve Hirschberg, News Producer)
• Pennsylvania - WITF (89.5 FM) [e-mail] (News Director)
• Texas - KERA (90.1 FM) - [e-mail] (Dallas-Fort Worth, Yolette Garcia, News Director)
• Texas - KUHF (88.7 FM) - [e-mail] (Houston, Paul Pendergraft, News Director)
• Texas - KTEP (88.5 FM) - [e-mail] (El Paso, Louie Saenz, News Director)
• Texas - KUT (90.5 FM) - [e-mail] (Austin, Emily Donahue, News Director)
• Texas - KSTX (89.1 FM) - [e-mail] (San Antonio, Nathan Cone, Acting Director of Broadcasting)
• Washington - KWWS (89.7FM) - [e-mail] (Northwest Public Radio, Washington State U.)

Update [2004-12-19 8:18:44 by Jeffrey Feldman]:

It's Sunday (8:16am). I have a plane to catch so I may not be able to update the list again until late, tonight. Keep posting in the threads and I will bring it up first chance I get!

Related Ongoing Efforts to Defend Social Security

• Check out this blog initiative by dKos member DudeUrSistersHOT

•  As always

  hit that <<recommend>> button to keep Frameshop open.

  Repeat.
  Repeat.
  Repeat our frame....

  by Jeffrey Feldman on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 09:50:18 AM PDT

  •  Would you

    mind adding my social security blog on like you did yesterday? I still haven't gotten anyone to participate... And I'm probably going to be finished putting up all of the state pages today. We need to know what our legislators think about this issue, and whether it can pass.

    by DudeUrSistersHOT on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:37:21 AM PDT

    •  Done (n/t)

      by Jeffrey Feldman on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:54:16 AM PDT

      •  thanks a ton

        by DudeUrSistersHOT on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 01:10:44 PM PDT

  •  Do you mean Stock Market Crisis and Reform

    See my comment here on your possible misuse of the right-wing frame "Social Security Crisis" or "Reform". If you do not reframe right-wing references to "Social Security Crisis" to Stock Market Crisis then you are not helping the debate. (IMHO)

    by wegerje on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 07:31:58 AM PDT

•  New York Stations Quicklist:

  WNYC 93.9FM and 820AM
  [e-mail]
  212-669-3333
  WNYC Radio
  One Centre St., 24 fl.
  New York, NY 10007

  WNYE TV25 and 91.5 FM
  [e-mail]
  112 Tillary Street
  Brooklyn, NY 11201
  718 250 5800

  WFUV Fordham University
  Julianne Welby
  News & Public Affairs Director
  http://www.wfuv.org/wfuv/email/index.php?mailto=Julianne%20Welby#email
  WFUV Fordham University
  Bronx, NY 10458

  WBGO Jazz 88.3FM
  WBGO News: [e-mail]
  Newark Public Radio, Inc.
  54 Park Place
  Newark, NJ 07102
  

  by chiggins on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 10:51:05 AM PDT

•  WYPR in Baltimore, MD contacted

  Thanks for keeping the frameshop open!

  by baltimoretim on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 10:51:53 AM PDT

  •  Do you have the call letters and email?

    and the person or department you contacted?

    I'll put it up.

    Thanks!
    

    by Jeffrey Feldman on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 10:55:12 AM PDT

    •  Sure

      WYPR, 88.1 FM in Baltimore, MD. Email: Frasier Smith, News Director [e-mail] Marc Steiner, VP Programming/Talk Show Host [e-mail] Andy Bienstock, Program Director [e-mail]

      by baltimoretim on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 07:12:35 AM PDT

•  Proposal

  JF -- I have a proposal:

  1.  After you've done 6 months of frameshop -- get a publisher to put them together into a book

  2.  Buy blogads to sell the book

  3.  If you need $$ for upfront costs, put up a paypal button for contributions

  by pontificator on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 10:53:30 AM PDT

  •  Sounds like a plan

    for Summer!

    by Jeffrey Feldman on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:06:54 AM PDT

•  Excellent

  Gonma write my NRP station

  you wrote :
  "Widespread repetition of this phrase can help stop George W. Bush's War on Social Security."

  might be better if you had wrote
  Widespread repetition of this phrase can help stop George W. Bush's Destruction of Social Security.

  by Pounder on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:14:55 AM PDT

  •  Go for it!

    That's a great way to phrase it.  All 20 of your letters should use your phrasing ; )

    by Jeffrey Feldman on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:17:25 AM PDT

•  NPR Report yesterday

  I was listening to NPR last night and I heard a segment about Social Security.  I'm not sure what program it was on, but they were talking as if they had read your Frameshop diaries!  They said stuff like "though many in this administration claim that Social Security is in crisis, economists say it is healthy enough to last at least another 45 years with only minor adjustments."  I'm not quoting, but that was the general gist of what they were saying.  I thought it was pretty cool to hear a report like that only hours after you told us to contact NPR and others to do that very thing!  I think you're making progress.

  Thanks, Jeffrey.  Your Frameshop diaries are awesome, and a great way of utilizing the power of the blogs!

  by Fran for Dean on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:19:16 AM PDT

  •  NPR is listening

    I think we got through to Morning Edition.  And they may be even more receptive on the level of individual state affiliates.

    Thanks for stopping by!

    by Jeffrey Feldman on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:35:39 AM PDT

  •  I don't think

    that it's only NPR.  I think NPR might have been first, but other media is disputing the idea that SS is in "crisis."  A win for the good guys?

    by Unstable Isotope on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 07:25:12 PM PDT

    •  Yep, also heard it on Bob Brinker

      On Bob Brinker's Moneytalk show today, two callers called to dispute the "crisis". Bob Brinker concurred.

      by catfish on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:36:07 PM PDT

•  KALW San Francisco

  Thank you for KALW and all your excellent programming.  

  The Bush administration has recently rolled out it's War On Social Security sale-a-thon, and some dangerous talking points are making the media rounds.  For example,  the most successful and healthy program in our country is described as a "problem"  which needs to be "solved".  Ahem.  Sounds familiar.  Reminds me of "WMD", "...the smoking gun...a mushroom cloud", etc.  It's another phony argument the administration is making to scare people into supporting an all-out assault on Social Security, in favor of the rigged casino gambling game they propose.  

  I hope you will be wary of repeating those talking points in discussions about Social Security.  The program is not in trouble, it is solvent for the next fifty years!

  Social Security is Healthy and Successful.  The Bush economy  is the Problem that needs to be solved, and not by destroying the best insurance policy our seniors and disabled people have.  People already have the option of investing in the stock market , IRA's, and other pension funds.  The Bush plan is like putting seniors on a high wire, removing the safety net, and calling it a free lunch.

  Social Security is successful and healthy.  It ain't broke, so don't fix it.

  Thank You,

  xxxx

   [e-mail]

  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  there's a great show on now if you care to listen.
  

  by x on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:24:30 AM PDT

  •  Here's a good LTE

    that was posted in "The State" (SC newspaper) which was the "headline" article linked on Google News. I like how it is titled and worded.

    Bush not telling truth about Social Security
    

    by nowness on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 12:43:21 AM PDT

•  kudos! esp. for frame building!

  Thanks for the Frameshops--and the great series on Lakoff!  I think this new development of the frameshop--using it to build new frames was the missing piece.  Great work!

  by benchcoat on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:40:57 AM PDT

•  NPR stands for

  National Propaganda Radio

  And has since 9-12-2001

  I used to listen to them for good, objective reporting on m any issues.

  Now I listen to them to learn about the propaganda the State wants to promote.

  The shift from 9-10-2001 to 9-12-2001 was monumental and very obvious to anyone who was a loyal listener before and after 911.

  I guess they know where their funding really comes from.

  by wild salmon on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 12:16:38 PM PDT

  •  NPR is more than NPR

    There are numerous excellent programs available from NPR affiliated stations. Consider Harry Shearer's Le Show from KCRW, Jeff Golden's Jefferson Exchange from KSJK, Sedge Thompson's West Coast Live, the Diane Rehm Show, and countless others that are not directly affiliated with the NPR central machine. I agree with you that NPR News, All Things Considerate, and Morning Edition have all been watered down in the last 20 years. The firing of Bob Edwards was the last straw for me and I haven't turned on Morning Edition since. It is also true that since the opening of the LA studios, there has been more "news" about movies and the "entertainment industry", reducing the amount of time available for true investigative reporting. This is a nation disgrace in my opinion, yet there are many many other fine shows available that should warrant our attention and praise.

    by weirdscenes on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 12:43:10 PM PDT

  •  To subscribe or not subscribe to NPR?

    January will mark the new year for charitable donations for me.  I would get so many solicitations throughout the year (even though I'd already donated) that I couldn't keep track of when to donate to which organization.  So, I now make January my month for donations.

    NPR has been on my usual list of donations to radio station KCRW.  However, since becoming a DKos member this past summer, I have been reading some occasional complaints here against NPR.  Comments have alluded to biased or right-leaning in their reporting.

    My question now is whether to continue to put my progressive money into this institution.  I have gotten the impression that Pacifica Radio is more progressive, and I will contribute to them, but is NPR still worthy of my money?

    Opinions?

    by blue drop on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:55:24 PM PDT

    •  Subscribe

      I listen to NPR all the time.  

      I don't actually agree with the position expressed in this thread that NPR is propaganda.  

      All Liberals in this country were caught off guard by the Conservative framing effort.  

      Frameshop is only one month old and this is the first issue we've managed to launch.

      So, I focus on NPR, today, not because they are suspect, but because so many of us are in tune with them (bad pun), because I believe that public radio is worth fighting for, and because 'i believe they will be receptive to this effort.

      Remember:  we are encouraging use of our langauge, not beating people up.  

      It's taken us a long time to figure this hammer out these ideas and it will take the public a long time, too.

      I'd say subscribe and keep fighting to improve it.

      by Jeffrey Feldman on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 03:01:12 PM PDT

    •  I listen

      to NPR all the time.  I think they're the best media out there, by far.  Now, if they'd only get rid of Barbara Bradley Haggerty...

      by Unstable Isotope on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 07:26:37 PM PDT

  •  get past the personal

    I would counsel, gently, that we get past any form of personal opinion or advocacy to any particular viewpoint. Here you find NPR wanting to say the least!

    And perhaps you are correct!

    Yet as the single most available nationwide organization that might take the 'reframe' language seriously and is open to communication....perhaps ignore your personal feelings and get behind the effort.

    Ideology, policy, details, bills....none of them mean a thing until we are back in a position of power.

    Win first....

    by BigDog04 on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 05:03:17 PM PDT

    •  I agree hugely

      Can you imagine what would have happened if, in 1967, Richard Viguerie & friends had said, "Since we don't like what they say, we don't care if we ever get our message out to the New York Times or the broadcast liberal left-wing media"?

      They spent 40 years and billions of dollars doing an end run around the "establishment", but the real validation of their efforts didn't happen until they got the SCLM to sing their song (with their lyrics!). Only then were they truly legitimized.

      Our objective must be the same. Many thanks to JF for giving us a structure to work with.

      by sidnora on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 06:22:18 AM PDT

•  SoundMoney.org on social security

  A great economic analysis of Social Security came through the airwaves on public radio's Sound Money program today. In a segment called "Straight Story", financial advisor Chris Farrell tore a page out of "Frame Shop" and provided an excellent non-partisan economic analysis of "Partial Privatization of Social Security" and why Social Security as it is, is a good investment. You can find the audio here.

  by weirdscenes on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 12:32:21 PM PDT

•  Five for Texas

  KERA 90.1 FM (Dallas-Fort Worth/North Texas) - Yolette Garcia, News Director - http://kera.org/

  Note: KERA is an outlet for both NPR and PBS (KERA Channel 13) in North Texas

  KUHF 88.7 FM (Houston) - Paul Pendergraft, News Director - http://kuhf.org/

  KTEP 88.5 FM (El Paso) - Louie Saenz, News Director - http://ktep.org/

  KUT 90.5 FM (Austin) - Emily Donahue, News Director - http://kut.org/

  KSTX 89.1 FM (San Antonio) - Nathan Cone, Acting Director of Broadcasting - http://kstx.org/
  

  by Penny Century on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 12:33:53 PM PDT

•  Don't Neglect Factuality

  Framing is for opinion, so while it's obviously crucial for us to begin competing in that area, the most serious obstacle we face is overt falsehood. Moyers touched on this to some extent in his farewell broadcast.

  So in addition to the language pressure, we also need a full court press wherever the media is passing along easily disproven lies.

  To my thinking this includes the ridiculous he-said-she-said panels where the moderator allows wholesale outrages from one side on the grounds that there is a spokesperson from the other side for "balance."

  by Gooserock on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 12:44:36 PM PDT

  •  Here, here! Fact 'R Us

    Indeed! Well said.  I can't be the only one that is DESPERATE for factual, objective news reporting.  At this point, I don't care to hear any more partisan punditry.  Even if it makes a Democrat look bad from time-to-time, I still want journalist to try as much as humanly possible to be objective, report the facts, and vigorously seek out the truth.  This should be our goal as well!

    by mrclean on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:41:07 PM PDT

  •  Factuality--Apples and Oranges.

    When confronting lies, it's important to frame the lies as well--to characterize them, interpret them, and draw conclusions about them. This is particularly important since the lies are so central to their argument. There's nothing haphazard or incidental about them.

    I've posted it twice, I'm not going to post it again, but if you haven't seen it, here's a link (opens in a new window) to my Apples and Oranges comment.

    It takes the fundamental GOP confusion between investment and insurance, and uses it to attack both their economic competence and their honesty.

    It's a bit long, but I think that the more we soak up extended examples, the better prepared we are to craft shorter messages as well.

    by Paul Rosenberg on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:42:28 PM PDT

    •  Lack of data as well

      I was curious what kind of opposition data the case for reforming Social Security was based on so I visited the CATO Institute Project on Social Security Choice

      They didn't have a single study. I spent about fifteen minutes browsing their site and all I could find were Op Ed pieces. Not a single piece of data! So I went over to The Club for Growth, because Steve Moore has been on several cable shows. Not a single piece of data! Nothing! So I went to the Heritage Foundation. Finally some real data! ... But not much.

      Their most serious criticism was that the Trust Fund only contained Treasury Bonds instead of real assets. They have one link to What (if anything) is wrong with Social Security?"
      

      It's based far more on assumption than factual premise. For example, the 75 year projection is for a $25 trillion unfunded liability. I wonder what their 75 year projections are for our budget deficit and trade deficit. Even a ten year economic forecast is unreliable. Consider the budget deficit forecasts that were made in 2000.

      They had a list of the usual problems with how Social Security is structured and demographic trends, i.e. fewer workers per retiree, people live longer, more workers take early retirement, low rates of return and African-Americans are especially hurt by low rates of return. Absolutely nothing that justified a radical restructuring of Social Security. The entire case for Social Security Reform is being driven by a bunch of Chicken Little extremists and uninformed, compliant journalists. The only data supporting their case is a forty year economic projection.

      The vast majority of their research was devoted to extremely elaborate plans for setting up tens of millions of private accounts. The Heritage Foundation's privatization plan is a rube goldberg contraption. It will clearly require a large bureaucracy and extensive oversight.

      by JollyBuddah on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 01:50:40 AM PDT

      •  So True!

        This is one reason I think that liberals have failed to respond effectively to this threat. There simply is no there there. (Intelligent Design, Star Wars, WMDs in Iraq... starting to see a pattern?)

        Being firmly esconced in the reality-based community, most liberals see it--quite rightly--as a bunch of hokum and thus dismiss it. But in the New World Order of just making shit up, this is a severe misjudgment.

        "Their most serious criticism was that the Trust Fund only contained Treasury Bonds instead of real assets."

        What do they want? Euros??? Oxen??? Virgins???

        Imagine if the Red Chinese took the Heritage Foundation as seriously as the corporate media does. They'd dump all their T-Bills in an eyeblink, and then what?

        by Paul Rosenberg on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 03:16:08 AM PDT

•  Thanks!

  This one is great, too!

  I'm glad that we get to call it "Social Security" still (hehehe).

  I sent letters to WJCT 89.9 FM in Jacksonville and to WUFT 89.1 FM in Gainesville.

  Social Security isn't just insurance, it's a sacred trust from one generation to another. I've promised my mother that so long as I can work, she won't want for the necessities of life. If I can, through my contributions to  Social Security, make that same promise to all Americans, I am a better man for it.

  by timerigger on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 01:03:23 PM PDT

  •  oops, links...

    WJCT Jacksonville

    WUFT Gainesville

    The content of my letter:
    

    Thank you for all the great programming, information and entertainment that WJCT provides to the Community of North Florida. Your service to us all is indispensable. I especially appreciate the in-depth news and analyses that I get from your entire "talk radio" format.

    As you know, there is a great debate going on across America about Social Security. I believe, and I'm sure that this belief is shared by most of the diverse North Florida population, that Social Security is a healthy and vital program that serves the best interests of all Americans.

    This historically successful safety net for our seniors and others in need has proven itself over the almost 70 years it has protected Americans and it will continue to do so into the foreseeable future.

    Please help keep the WJCT listening area educated about the true financial strengths of this important program. Perhaps it might need a minor adjustment moving forward into the second half of the twenty-first century, just like a good safe car needs a tune up now and then. Common sense control of government spending would go a long way towards keeping it running smoothly.

    Social Security is vibrant, effective and affordable. It isn't time to trade her in for some new-fangled untested model.

    by timerigger on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 01:11:23 PM PDT

    •  "Tune Up"

      "...just like a good safe car needs a tune up now and then."

      Great metaphor!  Social Security is due for a "tune up", not an overhaul.

      by bcorbs on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:41:18 PM PDT

•  Contacting NPR affiliates?

  As a former public radio producer I am a little confused about why you are recommending contacting NPR affiliates concerning `Framing the Debate on Social Security'. NPR affliliates are mere conduits for NPR programming and usually carry mainly `Morning Edition' with Renee Montaigne and Steve Inskip, `All Thins Considered; with Robert Siegal and a couple of woman hosts, as well as `Talk of the Nation' with Neil Conan, plus of course the `Weekend Edition' with Leanne Hansen and Saturdays' Scott Simon's morning program.  The affiliates have absolutely nothing to dow ith shaping the content of any NPR programming, it is the Executive Producers, the diotrs, the hosts and the top brass - all of which are beholden to the corporate establishment for their existence. If you really wish to get them to change the debate and frame the language it is necessary to drip, drip, drip away at the funding base, the community. The ombudsman, Jeffrey Dvorkin (a Canadian and former President who was demoted!) occasionally has the guts to make a decision or state a contary opinion in public. I completely agree that shaping the debate and framing the language is a key component in getting the correct or at least a balanced commentary out there, but the affiliates are starting at the wrong end in my humble opinion. JR

  by jennifergr on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 01:33:17 PM PDT

  •  Affiliates

    shape local stories and local opinion.

    Of course, you are correct about going for the source of the programs--this effort, today, is not intended to undermine that, but to follow on from it.

    by Jeffrey Feldman on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 01:38:03 PM PDT

  •  All Cogent Points

    But there's more to the local affiliates, and alot more programming, than you've accounted for.

    Many local affiliates do produce their own news audio "magazines" for their local market, and there are than the programs you've cited. Others have almost no programming beyond national syndications, except for jazz or classical music. Even so, they all have slots for local news withing ME & ATC at the end of the half hour, and it's worthwhile to make sure these local staffs hear our side.

    If your local affiliate has no local editorial content, you could consider writing to Terri Gross, Neil Conan, Tavis Smiley, or one or more of the other feature shows that air in your market. Hell, write Garrison Keeler and the other APR guys, as their shows air on NPR affiliates.

    by wystler on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:00:29 PM PDT

    •  (Brain Krampp)

      not Keeler

      Keilor

      d'oh

      by wystler on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:01:45 PM PDT

    •  Ah but some NPR

      stations do indeed have locally produced content (see my post on Pasadena downthread).  And those that do are often quite influential within their communities and so should be targeted.

      by CaliBlogger on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:19:32 PM PDT

•  ROCK

  Did it to three stations and the NPR omnibudsman.
  
  Please help the Frame wars by visiting my recent diary:
  
  Framing Opportunity: Respond to US News Column on Social Security
  
  and writing US News.

  by joewlarson on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 01:34:29 PM PDT

•  Great stuff. I love Frameshop

  A teeny gripe:  AM radio would be a better, wider target.  I think many who listen to NPR already are generally wary of BushCo.

  But it's definitely good to pull NPR back away from using the Rightwing vernacular (Juan Willams and Mara Liasson, I'm talking to you).

  Finally, we might think of MAKING SURE every Dem is Lakoff-enabled.  I still see Donna Brazile-types using Luntz language!

  by kerrybradley on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:00:17 PM PDT

  •  yes ... and no

    It's really important to defend what was, at one point, our majority. Too many folks who listen to NPR were BushVoters.

    The impact? NPR helps reinforce frames on our side. And the buzz can spread. The alternative creates an environment where folks on our side slip into the GOP frame without knowing. We're not going to get the entire NPR audience to read Lakoff, but we can try to help keep their heads, ears and mouths in the game.

    by wystler on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:05:23 PM PDT

  •  Oh, that's a good idea

    Dean uses Lakoff.  Democracy for America has Lakoff's framing worksheets up.

    They talk the talk, but they don't walk the walk.

    by Jeffrey Feldman on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:29:17 PM PDT

    •  Give us time...

      My local chapter of Democracy for America, is still reorganizing after the election.  Choosing important issues and learning how to frame them are at the top of the agenda in the coming year.  We'll be "...walking the walk..." soon.  Actually, it was a local DFA meeting that helped bring me to Kos and eventually to Frameshop...

      by mrclean on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:45:49 PM PDT

    •  Huh?

      Isn't framing all about "talking the talk?"

      "Walking the walk" would mean you act on progressive ideas?  Howard/DFA doesn't do that?

      Am I missing something?

      by kerrybradley on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 10:35:23 PM PDT

  •  I don't agree

    for SS, first shore up the base.  Many people my age, and progressives, believe SS is in crisis.  We need to convince them that it is not, also.

    by Unstable Isotope on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 07:29:06 PM PDT

    •  You're right

      Bush does seem to be aiming at younger workers, so they need some enlightening.  Dunno if they listen to NPR - can we get Howard Stern or other morning show jocks to spread the word?  The more amusing the messenger, the easier on the ears?

      It's funny.  Before I got politically active, I, too, though SS wasn't gonna be there when I retire.  I used to joke about it, made sure I maxed my 401(k), started an IRA, etc (those are good to do anyway, of course).

      But, thanks to the blogs, I know better:  SS is solvent and will remain so if we keep BushCo away from it.

      by kerrybradley on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 10:29:52 PM PDT

•  Pasadena, CA NPR Info

  KPCC Pasadena, CA 89.3

  General email: [e-mail]
  Story ideas: [e-mail]

  Locally produced shows:

  AirTalk with Larry Mantle
  Talk of the City with Kitty Felde

  Commentators:
  K. C. Cole. The Loh Life^TM Sandra Tsing Loh, Rich Dean, Mimi Pond, Roger Rudick

  Getting the word out to the locally produced shows is especially beneficial.  

  Some of these folks are real opinion leaders in their communities (everyone listens to Larry Mantle here in Pas for example), and as was demonstrated in the last election, folks are more likely to give credence to info they get from a local rather than a shipped-in volunteer.
  

  by CaliBlogger on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:13:12 PM PDT

  •  I left out

    Paul Glickman/News Director

    by CaliBlogger on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:22:54 PM PDT

•  Government Spending

  I'd like to recommend that we be more pro-active and distinctly Democratic when we talk about government spending.

  Instead of this:

  "Social Security is a successful social program protecting millions of Americans. It will thrive in a healthy economy, and can be maintained by lifting caps on payroll contribution and controlling government spending."

  I recommend this:

  "Social Security is a successful social program protecting millions of Americans. It will thrive in a healthy economy, and can be maintained by lifting caps on payroll contribution, restoring fiscal discipline, and investing broadly in education and innovation to keep improving long-term productivity."

  
  

  by Paul Rosenberg on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:26:57 PM PDT

  •  OK

    I think I've got the position down so that it reflects your suggestions AND so that it fits in the main entry box (which gets picked up more than anything else).
    

    by Jeffrey Feldman on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:54:19 PM PDT

•  For a good guide

  look to how the GOP took down health care reform in the 90's.  Perhaps a taste of their own medicine is in order, no?  For more info, check out digby's timeline

  by Cur Papple on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 02:57:29 PM PDT

•  Frameshop NPR Action

  Pennsylvania - WITF-FM 89.5 [e-mail] [News Director]

  Here is the text of my email:

  Dear Mr. Gilbert,

  I am a frequent listener of WITF-FM News and NPR.  I just want to take a moment to thank you, and the entire WITF-FM News Team, for providing a reliable and accurate source of news in the Harrisburg Region.

  So many times, including this holiday season, people seem to forget those who work all hours to keep us informed.  I wanted you to know, you are not forgotten by this listener and that your services are appreciated.

  Whether the topic is Iraq or a new program announced by Mayor Stephen Reed or the Apple Festival on our own West Shore, WITF provides the important facts surrounding those events.  I'm sure you will have the chance to "shine" once again, as the national spotlight turns to Social Security.  WITF will be uniquely qualified to include local reaction on this "hot topic".  I'm sure you'll find that most of WITF's listeners will note that Social Security remains healthy and successful and will be that way for years.  This debate is sure to be interesting - especially given the fact that only minor adjustments are needed to ensure that Social Security remains an American Success Story.

  I look forward to hearing your news broadcasts concerning this topic and I'm certain that WITF and NPR will continue to provide the fact-based reporting for which you both are so well known.  

  Thank you for your consideration and for being a part of our community.

  Sincerely,
  Chris
  WITF Listener

  by chrispadem on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 03:43:15 PM PDT

•  One Reason

  Why social security is healthy and successful is that per capita of employed Americans there will be less retirees at the height of the baby boom bubble than there were at the height of the last bubble.  The last bubble happened during the late 70's and was created by the high birth rates surrounding the first world war.  We've been here before people!  There is nothing new here!
  
  

  Pittsburgh PA NPR:

  WDUQ-FM
  Duquesne University
  Pittsburgh PA 15282

  Email (no attachments, please)
  General questions & comments: [e-mail]
  DUQ membership questions: [e-mail]
  DUQ News Department: [e-mail]

  by intrados on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 03:49:06 PM PDT

•  A few more

  Oklahoma
  KROU/KGOU 105.7/106.3 FM (Oklahoma City-Norman-Spencer) - Scott Gurian, News Director - http://kgou.org/

  KWGS 89.5 FM (Tulsa) - Brian Byrne, Program/Public Service Director - http://kwgs.org/

  KCCU FM, various frequencies (Lawton-Fort Sill-Altus-Ardmore-Duncan-Chickasha-Weathford-Clinton-Elk City, plus Wichita Falls, TX) - Debra Taylor, News Director - http://kccu.org/

  Arkansas
  KUAR 89.1 FM (Little Rock-Hot Springs-Conway) - Ron Breeding, News Director/Program Director - http://www.ualr.edu/kuar/

  KUAF 91.3 FM (Fayetteville-Fort Smith) - Kyle Kellams, News Director - http://kuaf.com/

  Louisiana
  WWNO 89.9 FM (New Orleans) - Shantel Washington, Listener Services Manager - http://wwno.org/

  WRKF 89.3 FM (Baton Rouge) - Karen Henderson, News Director - http://wrkf.org/

  KDAQ 89.9 FM (Shreveport-Bossier City) - Wally Derleth, News Director - http://www.redriverradio.com/

  KEDM 90.3 FM (Monroe) - Sunny Meriwether, News Director - http://kedm.ulm.edu/

  New Mexico
  KUNM 89.9 FM (Albuquerque-Santa Fe-Los Alamos) - Marcos Martinez, Program Director - http://kunm.org/

  KENW 91.3 FM (Ruidoso-Portales-Roswell and Amarillo/West Texas) - Dr. James Lee, News/Public Service Director - http://kenw.org/

  Note: Also a PBS TV affiliate (KENW Channel 3).
  

  by Penny Century on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 04:17:12 PM PDT

  •  And that would be...

    ...Weatherford, not "Weathford," Oklahoma. (Don't yell or hit.)

    by Penny Century on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 04:24:57 PM PDT

    •  Penny!

      I was just about to go make dinner...

      I'll put these up (thanks!)

      by Jeffrey Feldman on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 04:32:16 PM PDT

      •  It might be nice

        if I actually posted what I've written to these folks. It's mainly a hodgepodge of what others have put forth, but with a couple of other nuts and bolts thrown in:

        -----

        Those of us who are avid NPR supporters sometimes forget to thank you for all the work you've done and continue to do to make public radio a great source of news and information. The holiday season certainly is an appropriate time to offer that appreciation.

        This season has also brought us a developing debate on Social Security that has consequences for all Americans. It's at once fascinating and alarming to see how this healthy, historically successful program -- a prime example of responsible and foresighted fiscal management that benefits our entire society -- is being spun as a looming catastrophe that only catastrophic action can mitigate.

        Social Security is a sound social program protecting millions of Americans. It will thrive in a healthy economy, and can be maintained by lifting caps on payroll contributions, restoring federal fiscal discipline, and investing broadly in education and innovation to keep improving long-term productivity.

        As experts have reported everywhere from Bloomberg News to the New York Times to NPR itself, Social Security will require only gradual adjustments and a return to government fiscal responsibility to keep it healthy and successful as our population ages.

        NPR plays a key role in helping the public to understand this important issue. Thanks again for all you do to advance balanced, thoughtful, and factual reporting.

        Very truly yours,
        [Penny's real name here]

        -----
        

        by Penny Century on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 08:31:25 PM PDT

•  Cite your sources!

  This is a great thread and I can see many heading into active participation.

  The only thing I can add is to:

  Cite your sources!

  If you have a book by Pete Peterson or an article by Paul Krugman that bolsters your opinion....CITE IT!

  Presumed 'facts' from 'reputable' authorities carry heavy weight with the people that read your emails, letters or listen to your VM's.

  Most of them don't have time to read these materials....they are too busy producing shows, newscasts etc. If you give them sources they automatically think your opinion is based on something other than emotion.

  It works.

  by BigDog04 on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 04:57:20 PM PDT

  •  Thanks! Good point (n/t)

    by Jeffrey Feldman on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 05:32:32 PM PDT

•  KCRW

  I rarely listen to KCRW anymore, but I know it's very influential. I'd be happy to join someone else's lead in writing to them. But for now, I'm about to turn into a pumpkin. Leave info here or email me rad / gte / net and I'll take action tomorrow.

  And I'm going to be working on newspaper editorial boards that endorsed Bush in 2000, in part because of his SS plans. Most, I think, were not planning on his budgetary recklessness (or wreckfulnuss) and might be ripe for a specially targetted approach.

  by Paul Rosenberg on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 05:08:14 PM PDT

•  "reform" and a future frameshop topic?

  I appreciate all of your frameshop efforts very much. They're helping me notice we use a lot of terms to our detriment. Here are a couple that have stood out to me recently, for your consideration:

  Social Security "reform" (as in a current diary entitled "Top 10 Responses to Social Security Reform"). Using "reform" this way implies that Soc. Sec. needs reform. Maybe ban the word "reform" in discussions of Social Security and other subjects when Repubs. are using "reform" as a euphemism for "destruction" or "plundering"?

  pro-life/pro-choice. There's a current diary on the hazards of using the term "pro-choice", but I also hate the implications of the term "pro-life." There must be a better way for us to talk about the subject.
  

  by roses on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 05:30:27 PM PDT

  •  Privatization--Or Enronization

    Depending on your mood. It's not reform, so don't call it that. It is privatization, and given who's behind it, it's Enronization as well.

    by Paul Rosenberg on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 03:23:23 AM PDT

•  My Letter

  I never lived through a Great Depression.  I never dug up dandelions and wild mushrooms for dinner and I never ate squirrels or frogs to survive.  I never stole coal to keep from freezing to death.  I never had to fight a World War.

  My grandparents did these things for me.  

  Then they forged a new social contract between the people and the government, no less revolutionary than the Magna Carta--they called it the New Deal.

  The Greatest Generation kept their half of the bargain. They paid to support the elderly and the poor, expecting future generations to support them.  

  And with that protection in place, they set about building the most prosperous economy in the history of mankind. They built roads, they built power-plants, they put up telephone wires, they cleared forests, they planted forests, and they built cities and schools.

  There's not a dime that you or I have ever earned that was not built on their blood, sweat, and tears--and if we keep our promise, there will not be a dime our children earn that they don't owe, in part, to us.

  But President Bush wants us to break that promise.  He's lying about the strength and health of the Social Security program.  Worse, he wants us to commercialize this successful system and gamble our future on Wall Street.

  Isn't it bad enough that we've robbed our children with record deficits to pay off Halliburton?  Must we now let Wall Street steal from our grandparents too?

  by stephdray on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 07:23:19 PM PDT

•  Another one to KUT-- thanks to stephdray!

  Plagiarizing freely from Jeffrey and from stephdray, here's what I sent to KUT (Austin):

  I am writing again to thank you for all the work your news team has done and continue to do to make public radio a great source of news and information.   Our family does not watch television or listen to any other radio news--we count on KUT to bring us reasoned and insightful reports of important world and national trends and events.

  Recently, the Bush administration has launched a new "product"--a campaign to remove our social safety net.  Although they couch their efforts in terms of "reform" and "investment," what they are actually planning is to destroy Social Security--a healthy and successful program that has helped millions of Americans since our grandparents' time.  This scheme continues the agenda of the long-ago-discredited John Birch Society, and will probably come as a shock to millions of Americans who voted for Bush.

  Social Security is a social contract between the people and the government, no less revolutionary than the Magna Carta--our forefathers called it the New Deal.  The Greatest Generation kept their half of the bargain. They paid to support the elderly and the poor, expecting future generations to support them.  With that protection in place, they set about building the most prosperous economy in the history of mankind. They built roads, they built power plants, they put up telephone wires, they cleared forests, they planted forests, and they built cities and schools.

  There's not a dime that you or I have ever earned that was not built on their blood, sweat, and tears--and if we keep our promise, there will not be a dime our children earn that they don't owe, in part, to us.  But President Bush wants us to break that promise.  He's lying about the strength and health of the Social Security program.  Worse, he wants us to abandon the safety net we've promised our elders and our children, to embark on a fatally flawed experiment.  Isn't it bad enough that we've robbed our children with record deficits to pay off Halliburton?  Must we now let Wall Street steal from our grandparents too?

  I believe that Americans who work hard and play by the rules deserve a retirement protected by their government.  Social Security is a successful social program that helps millions of Americans.  Social Security will thrive in a healthy economy and can be maintained by: (1) lifting caps on payroll contribution, (2) restoring fiscal discipline and (3) investing in education and innovation.

  NPR and KUT play a key role in helping the public to understand this important issue.

  Thank you for your consideration.

  by Sandia Blanca on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 08:18:38 PM PDT

•  KUT email address typo

  Texas - KUT (90.5 FM) - [e-mail] (Austin, Emily Donahue, News Director)

  Should be [e-mail] (from their website).
  

  by Janet Strange on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 08:31:09 PM PDT

  •  One more

    Paul Pendergraft of KUHF in Houston is at [e-mail]

    It's correct in the original reply post, so anyone who clicked the link from there is fine.
    

    by Penny Century on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 09:01:27 PM PDT

    •  Yikes!

      Wouldn't it be great if the diarist could actually type?  What a world that would be.

      My apologies for messing with Texas ; )

      by Jeffrey Feldman on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 09:17:13 PM PDT

•  2 in DC here

  WAMU: American University - DC http://www.wamu.org/contact/index.php#contactForm

  WPFW: Pacifica Radio DC
  http://www.wpfw.org/

  by k9disc on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 09:50:28 PM PDT

•  Missouri

  KWMU(St. Louis): [e-mail]; 8001 Natural Bridge, St. Louis, MO 63121. Mike Sampson is host of "St. Louis On The Air"
  KCUR(Kansas City): [e-mail] (Frank Morris, news director)
  KSMU(Springfield): [e-mail] (Mike Smith, news director)
  KBIA(Columbia): [e-mail] (Sarah Ashworth, news director) (a classical station)
  KRCU(Cape Girardeau): One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
  KUMR(Rolla): no news director Program Director: [e-mail] (John Francis)
  KTBG(Warrensburg): [e-mail] (John Dutton)
  KXCV(Marysville): [e-mail] (Kirk Wayman, news and public affairs director)
  

  by 4jkb4ia on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 10:50:58 PM PDT

•  My LTE

   

  At 31 years of age, I have already benefited from the Social Security program.  My father died when I was 3 years old.  Like most women at the time, my mother was a housewife.  My father's death was an unforseen horror for my mother; the unthinkable.  They had planned for this worst case scenario, and life insurance allowed my family to keep our house.  Social Security was a major factor in my mother and I's ability to keep our home and in aiding my mother's transition from housewife to bread winner .  It continued to ensure our security despite recession, occupation changes, and illness,  until my eighteenth birthday.  My mother died a month after my 19th birthday.  I was the first person on either side of my family to go away to college.

  I understand the importance of the Social Security program to young people, which is why I am so frustrated with the current administrations plans to privatize it.  Those peddling privatization of this hugely successful program that has helped millions of Americans are trying to compare apples to oranges when they compare Social Security to an investment.

  Social Security is insurance, it is not an investment .  It is a guarantee of security to the aged and the young, it is not about making money.  It is about keeping families afloat when the unthinkable happens and making sure that the elderly have a minimum standard of living.  We already have 401Ks, 3 different IRAs, mutual funds and a host of other investment opportunities.  Why do we need to sacrifice the only guaranteed insurance policy that the government has in order to create, what is essentially another IRA?

  Privatization, the word that you will not hear from those peddling it, does nothing to secure retirement, or to secure the well being of families from the unthinkable.  The only thing it secures is early retirement for corporate executives.  Privatization is an investment.  Investments involve risk, and are, by nature, insecure.  They are even more insecure today with all of the corporate scandals and investment fraud.  What does privatization have to offer the young?  Debt and insecurity.  $2 trillion in debt and a lifetime spent hoping that the market is trending up during your retirement.  It doesn't sound like such a good deal in those terms, does it?

  Adjustments to Social Security are fairly common, happening every 10-20 years.  As of now, this highly successful program is solvent through 2052 according to recent estimates from our government.  That is 48 years of seniors and families such as mine, getting full benefits!  Sounds pretty healthy to me.

  Social Security is so healthy that it has been robbed to pay for government excess for years.  In fact, this whole privatization scheme has been cooked up to hide the fact that Social Security has been propping up our budgets for a long time, and that it is the  itself that is not solvent.  They have been robbing the Social Security trust fund, the People's  money, held in trust for the unthinkable and the future, and using it to fund their pork and bad policy.

  We need to protect Social Security from this privatization scheme.  It is bad for America..

  by k9disc on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:34:24 PM PDT

  •  personal SS stories

    (Sorry, off-topic) I hope we can do a thread/diary on personal SS stories some day.

    by catfish on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:55:56 PM PDT

  •  This is a great point

    And it is one that I have tried hard to remember myself. I will turn 34 in a few days, so I'm in the same timeframe as yourself. In my late teenage years I figured that SS would be gone and broke long before I got there.

    My parents lived and I'm still going strong, however I feel some comfort that SS will be there should I need it for disability should I need it.

    I have other insurance and disability, but this could be an important piece of the puzzle.

    by shwabout on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 04:30:24 AM PDT

  •  I have posted this as a diary.

    IF you like it, please recommend so we can keep this on the front page.
    

    by k9disc on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 07:14:03 AM PDT

•  Another suggestion

  Instead of calling is a "successful social program", call is a "successful insurance program", because that's what it is. It's important to remind people that this is an insurance program (retirement, disability, and survivor).

  by blueheron on Sat Dec 18, 2004 at 11:39:11 PM PDT

•  Social Security is Healthy and Successful...

  and is, in fact, one of the most successful insurance programs ever.  It is, literally, an American Success Story!  Social Security is the insurance policy which guarantees income, to every American, in the years after retirement. This insurance policy has successfully helped two generations. Don't mess with success!

  These are the types of statements that Democrats and Progressives need to be making on this very important program.  Another very important part of framing:  do not use the other side's frame.  In my statements above, there is no reference to the Republican frame.  This is an effective way to neutralize their biggest asset.  As George Lakoff says "Don't Think of an Elephant".  If you haven't read his book, ask Santa to get it for you for Christmas.

  by chrispadem on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 06:40:02 AM PDT

  •  asdf

    It is an insurance program and what you are buying with your contributions is an annuity.

    Republicans won't admit that because it blows their case out of the water.  Why?  You buy insurance to reduce risk not as an investment.  Every single one of the objections presented against Social Security can be made against buying any insurance policy.

    by ATinNM on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 10:28:07 AM PDT

•  Stock Market Crisis - Stock Market Reform

  I assume you are talking about the Stock Market Crisis as there are no issues with Social Security. The Stock Market needs reform because of it's emminent collapse (again) without an infusion of trillions of dollars.

  The currrent plans to reform the Stock Market will only make matters worse. That plan is the one to borrow trillions of dollars from our grandchildren's Social Security so our kids can invest it in the stock market. That is only a temporary fix for the Stock Market and not a reform at all.

  For more details on the Stock Market Crisis and it's ramifications for Social Security see this Stirling Newberry dKos diary.

  This diary here, on the other hand, by continuing to frame it as a Social Security problem is promoting the right-wing frame.

  Whenever someone uses the frame "Social Security Crisis" or "Reform" we must ask if they are talking about the Stock Market Crisis because Social Security is fine and notions to the contrary are an urban myth.

  by wegerje on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 07:25:10 AM PDT

•  Byron Dorgan

  http://nytimes.com/2004/12/19/politics/19memo.html?hp&ex=1103518800&en=90fe68552f5245b4& ei=5094&partner=homepage

  
  But leading Democrats say Mr. Bush is beginning his Social Security drive with some unacceptable preconditions. Indeed, Democratic leaders dispute the Republicans' central assertions: that the problems facing Social Security constitute a crisis, and that diverting payroll taxes to private investment accounts is the way to solve it. Social Security trustees have estimated that without changes, the system will start running short of money to pay full benefits in 38 years.

  "If we allow them to frame it that way - that there is a crisis, therefore we must go to private accounts - if we allow them to frame it that way, the fact is, we've perpetrated a huge fraud," said Senator Byron L. Dorgan, Democrat of North Dakota and chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee.
  

  by Stirling Newberry on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 09:28:12 AM PDT

•  bringing the frames beyond daily kos's readership

  Of course the best action is communicating directly with NPR and other receptive media.  We can also spread the word through our own projects.  

  Save Social Security blog will be tomorrow's featured site on (self-link) blog of the day.  I used the talking points in the blog description and cited this thread

  by arthur on Sun Dec 19, 2004 at 10:25:44 AM PDT